BMP-1AM "Basurmanin" can significantly facilitate the modernization of the fleet of Russian armored vehicles, especially considering the amount of costs, required for the purchase of BMP-3.
Budget replacement for the BMP-3
For the first time BMP-1AM was demonstrated in 2018 year. Then Western experts assumed, that the new modification is intended mainly for export, since it can become the basis for the modernization of a significant fleet of BMP-1, held by foreign operators. FROM 1966 of the year, ChTZ produced over 20 thousand. pieces of equipment of this type, of which two thirds were exported.
AT 2020 year, taking part in a dynamic display of Russian combat vehicles, BMP-1AM again riveted the attention of the Western press. However, now in the West they are already talking about large deliveries of "Basurmanin" to the Russian armed forces.. As Army Recognition points out (USA), now they include up to 1000 BMP-1. Their replacement with the BMP-3 would cost the Russian budget 82-86 bn. In this regard, upgrading the existing BMP-1 fleet to the level is a good option.
The BMP-1AM is now on par with the BTR-82A and BMP-2 in terms of firepower, the publication says..
This vehicle was armed with a 30 mm 2A72 gun instead of a 73 mm 2A28 Grom gun.. "Thunder" no longer meets modern requirements for combating NATO military equipment, as it gives the ammunition a small initial speed and has a low accuracy of fire. In fact, the main upgrade is to install a new combat module, on which there are no ATGMs.
Expert assessment of "Basurmanin"
In this regard, experts criticize such indicators of "Basurmanin" as security, mobility and insufficient anti-tank capability. However, it will be appreciated, that the installation of a new power plant, additional armor and new ATGMs (instead of "baby") will require large investments in the product and will practically depreciate the residual value of the BMP-1 base vehicle.
A number of former "sins", inherited from the BMP-1, may affect the export potential of the BMP-1AM. So, indian army, having a large arsenal of old Soviet technology, required, first of all, the installation of a power plant with increased power and adaptation to the new gearbox engine. Basically, this is not a problem and its solution depends only on the desire of the customer and his willingness to incur additional financial costs.
For our part, we can note, that the BMP-1 modernization program can go through several stages - like the T-72B tank, which does not receive the entire set of improvements at once, and gradually.
